Combination bucket and wringer



Jan. 22, 1963 l M. sPlER COMBINATION BUCKET AND WRINGER Filed June 1, 1960 uri 3,074,097 COMBENATION BUCKET AND WRINGER I Martin Spier, New York, N.Y., assignor to Beacon Plastic and Metal Products, Inc., New York, NSY., a corporation of New York Filed lune 1, 196i), Ser. No. 33,269 2 Claims. (Cl. 15-262) fer from the mop, to be ilocculated and drop below the 2 baille.

The improved bucket and wringer means are advantageous in that the mop can be wrung out more eiliciently, while at the same time the tendency of dirt particles to settle below the baille permits longer use of the water in the bucket for cleaning purposes. Of course, the use of a ilocculant enhances the advantages of the improved wringer means and the baille arrangement.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description, in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

In the drawings,

FIG. l is a section on line 1 1 of FG. 4.

FIG. 2 is a section on line 2 2 or" FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan View of the bucket.

FIG. 4 is top plan view of the bucket, partly broken away.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section on line 5 5 of FIG. 4 showing a baille plate disposed within the bucket.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a modified baille plate.

Upon reference to the drawings in detail, it will be noted that they show a bucket 1@ of generally square, but somewhat downwardly tapered shape, having a front wall 11, rear wall 12, side walls 13 and 14, and bottom wall 17. Said walls 13 and 14 are considered as extending longitudinally, and said walls 11 and 12 are considered as extending laterally. Longitudinally extending inner side walls 13a and 14a are respectively located adjacent and parallel to the outer side wall 13 an 14 to dene respective side chambers 15 and 16.

Bucket 10 is formed with a toe recess 18. In order to provide this toe recess 13, bottom wall 17 is provided with an upstanding lateral front wall 19 near the front of the bucket. This wall 19 is spaced inwardly from the respective inner side walls 13a and 14a. The upper end of wall 19 is connected by means of horizontal wall 2b to front wall 11. Longitudinal side walls 21 connect between bottom wall 17, wall 19 and wall 20, so that the recess 18 is generally rectangular and has a front opening.

Wall 13a has a lower' front, vertically extending slot 13b, and wall 14a has a similar slot 1Gb. The two walls 21 have correspondingly front lower corner, vertically extending slots 21a.

Laterally extending rollers 22 and 23, respectively located adjacent the front and rear of bucket 1i), overlie the top of the bucket and are supported in such a way as to be resiliently movable toward each other.

Said rollers 22 and 23 may be made of any suitable material, which is preferably plastic. At each end of ite tats te fr Bg Patented Jan.. 22, 1963 ice rollers 22 and 23, substantially identical support structures extend into the respective compartments 15 and 16. Thus, a lever 24 is connected to the end of roller 22 and vextends into compartment 15, and a lever 25 is connected to the end of roller 23 and also extends into compartment 15. The upper portion 24a of lever 24 is downwardly rearwardly inclined, and the upper portion 25a of lever 25 is forwardly downwardly inclined. The respective lower portions 24h and 25b of these levers are reversely inclined, in the manner shown in FIG. 1. Approximately at the respective junction areas 24C and 25e of the respective lever portions 24a and 24h on the one hand, and 25a and 25h on the other hand, said levers extend respectively to the front and rear of a horizontal, longitudinally elongated plate 26 which is fixed between the walls 13 and 13a centrally with respect to compartment 15. Below said plate 26 the two lever portions 2li-b and 25]: are connected by a spring 27 which tends to draw these two portions together.

The lower ends of levers 24]) and 25b are located adjacent each other and are connected by a lateral pivot 28 to a further lever 29. This lever 29 is connected at its rear, by pivot 36, to wall 13a, and extends generally horizontally. The two levers 29 are connected by cross arm Sti. This cross arm 341 extends vertically slidably through the respective slots 13b and 1411 and also the respective slots 21a, so that said arm 36* extends across the toe recess 18.

FIG. l shows in full lines the normal position of the rollers 22 and 23. As shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, when cross arm 3@ is depressed, thereby lowering levers 29 and tending to pull the levers 24 and 25 downwardly, the lever portions 24a and 25a respectively ride cammingly over the respective front and rear edges of plate 26, thereby pulling the rollers 22 and 23 toward each other.

It will be apparent that in the normal manner, a wet rnop may be placed between the rollers 22 and 23, the rollers 22 and 23 moved toward each other, and the mop manipulated in the usual manner to squeeze excess water therefrom. Upon release of arm 361i, the parts return to their normal position.

Since both rollers move equally to the lateral center of the bucket, over the center of gravity thereof, during the wringing operation, the bucket is substantially tip-proof and does not have to be steadied while the mop is being wrung out.

As an important feature, a baille plate is mounted within the pail 1li. ln the embodiment of FIG. 5, said baille plate, designated generally by the reference numeral dil, is mounted horizontally in place, by means of suitable brackets, exemplied by bracket 41 (FIG. 2), which are mounted upon the insides of the walls of pail 10. Preferably, baille 40 rests removably upon said brackets 41, and is located somewhat below the level of wall 20. Preerably, also, as shown in FIG. 4, said baille plate 40 is generally U-s'naped and has a cut-out portion 42 extending around the vertical walls of the toe recess 18. Plate 49 extends between walls 13a and 14a, and also between walls 11 and 12. Said baille plate lil is of generally planar construction but has a plurality of longitudinally extending, parallel flanges 44 struck downwardly at an acute angle, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, to define spaces e3 in plate dil.

lt will be apparent that a particle which falls through the openings or spaces 43 strikes the inclined flanges 44 and is deflected downwardly. Flanges 44 tend to prevent particles from moving upward through openings 43.

FIG. 6 shows a modilication in which plate 40 is replaced by plate Sil. This plate Sii has parallel, longitudinally extending, depressed portions 51, each of which has respective inclined walls having openings 52 and S3, in

the manner shown in FIG. 6, the inclined Walls converting i with bottom wall 50a.

It will be apparent that either baflle 40 or baffle S0 divides the interior space of pai-l 1G into an upper chamber 60 and a lower chamber 61. It will also be apparent that in use, the mop is substantially confined to being inserted into the upper space 6i). Preferably, the water in the pail extends substantially into the space 6i) and nearly to the top ofthe pail. When the mop is inserted into the upper space 60 and is manipulated, together with rollers 22 and 23, for removal of excess soiled water therefrom, the particles of dirt or the like released from the mop tend to settle downwardly and pass through the holes in the baflle to the lower chamber 61. The presence of the batiie'prevents Ithe mop from being brought into contact with the particles in chamber 61, 4so that when the mop is removed, it tends to avoid having particles redeposited on it. On the other hand, the water within the space 6i) tends to remain clear so that it may be used for cleaning or rinsing purposes.

It will also be apparent that when the pail is to be cleaned, it is a simple matter to remove the baille plate 40 or 5.0, as the case may be, in o-rder to clean the dirt from the lower chamber 61. It will also be apparent that any appropriate baiiie may be employed which will tend to prevent the dirt from being moved from the lower chamber Ato the upper chamber when the rwater of the pail is agitated.

While I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the Vinvention and have indicated various changes, omissions and additions which may be made therein, it will be apparent that various other changes, omissions and additions may be made in the invention without departing Afrom the scope and spirit thereof as set forth in the claims.

The bucket may be made of any suitable material. I prefer to make the bucket of rigid plastic, such as polypropylene, and to mold the bucket, preferably in a single piece. The operating levers, which may be made of metal, may be readily assembled with the molded bucket.

I claim:

1. A bucket and wringer combination comprising a bucket having `a front, longitudinally extending sides, a rear, a bottom and an open top, levers pivotally connected to said respective sides adjacent the rear thereof and extending forwardly from their pivots, a cross-arm connecting the fronts of said levers, a longitudinally elongated plate xed to each said side above said lever, a rst arm pivotally connected to each said lever below said plate and having a iirst arm lower portion extending upwardly forwardly and a rst arm upper portion extending upwardly rearwardly to a point above said bucket, a second arm pivotally connected to each said lever below said plate and having a second arm lower portion extending upwardly rearwardly and a second arm upper portion extending upwardly forwardly, to a point above said bucket the lower ends of said arm upper portions respectively meeting the upper ends of said arm lower portions to deline respective junctions, front roller means connecting the upper ends of said second arm upper portions, rear roller means connecting the upper ends of said rst arm upper portions, spring means connecting Ithe arm lower portions associated with each lever and urging them toward each other, the junction between the rst arm portions normally abutting the front of said plate, the junction between the second arm protions normally abutting the rear of said plate, said roller means being normally spaced from each other, said cross-arm being adapted to be lowered, said upper arm portions being thereby adapted to ride cammingly against said front and rear of said plate to spread said lower arm portions and move said roller means toward each other, said arms being shaped to permit said roller means to come into abutment with each other, said upper arm portions being adapted, upon release of said cross-arm, to ride cammingly in reverse direction against sm'd plate and return the par-ts to their nomal positions.

2. A bucket .and winger combination comprising a bucket having a front, longitudinally extending sides, a rear, a bottom and an open top, said sides having recesses extending the full length thereof and opening upon the top thereof, said front having a central, inwardly extending toe recess at the bottom thereof, said front having further recesses on each side of said toe recess and communicating therewith and also communicating with said side recesses, levers respectively located in said side recesses and pivotally connected t0 said respective sides adjacent the rear thereof and extending forwardly from their pivots, a cross-arm extending across said toe recess andv through said further front recesses and into said side recesses and connecting with the respective fronts of said levers, a longitudinally elongated plate fixed to each said side in said side recess above said lever, a iirst arm in said side recess and pivotally connected to each said lever below said plate and having a irst arm lower portion extending upwardly forwardly and a rst arm upper portion extending upwardly rearwardly through lthe top of said side recess, a second a-rm in said side recess and pivotally connected to said lever below-said plate and having a second arm lower portion extending upwardly rearwardly and a second arm upper portion extending upwardly forwardly and extending beyond the top of said side recess, the flower ends of Vsaid arm upper portions respectively meeting the upper ends of said arm lower portions to dene respective junctions, front roller means connecting the upper ends of said second arm upper portions, rear roller means connecting the upper ends of said lirst arm upper portions, spring means in said side recess and connecting the arm lower portions associated with each lever and urging them .toward each other, the junction between the iirst arm portions normally abutting the front of said plate, the junction between .the second arm portions normally abutting the rear of said plate, said roller means being normally spaced from each other, said cross-arm being accessible in said toe recess for lowering thereof, said upper arm portions being thereby adapted to ride cammingly against `said front and rear of said plate to spread said lower arm portions and move said roller means toward each other, said arms being shaped to permit said roller means to come into abutment with each other, said upper arm portions being adapted, upon release of said lcross-arm, to ride cammingly in reverse direction against said plate and return the parts to their normal position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 415,195 Gillmann Nov. 19, 1889 447,732 Jarboe Mar. 3, 1891 488,984 Cathan Jan. 3, 1893 493,340 Prescott Mar. 14, 189,3 621,481 Galen Mar. 21, 1899 815,539 Krainik Mar. 20, 1906 1,638,192. Peterson Sept. 10, 1912 1,064,802 Wilde June 17, 1913 1,236,156 Finnell Aug. 7, 1917 1,488,930 Mannix Apr. l, 1924 

1. A BUCKET AND WRINGER COMBINATION COMPRISING A BUCKET HAVING A FRONT, LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SIDES, A REAR, A BOTTOM AND AN OPEN TOP, LEVERS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID RESPECTIVE SIDES ADJACENT THE REAR THEREOF AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM THEIR PIVOTS, A CROSS-ARM CONNECTING THE FRONTS OF SAID LEVERS, A LONGITUDINALLY ELONGATED PLATE FIXED TO EACH SAID SIDE ABOVE SAID LEVER, A FIRST ARM PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO EACH SAID LEVER BELOW SAID PLATE AND HAVING A FIRST ARM LOWER PORTION EXTENDING UPWARDLY FORWARDLY AND A FIRST ARM UPPER PORTION EXTENDING UPWARDLY REARWARDLY TO A POINT ABOVE SAID BUCKET, A SECOND ARM PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO EACH SAID LEVER BELOW SAID PLATE AND HAVING A SECOND ARM LOWER PORTION EXTENDING UPWARDLY REARWARDLY AND A SECOND ARM UPPER PORTION EXTENDING UPWARDLY FORWARDLY, TO A POINT ABOVE SAID BUCKET THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID ARM UPPER PORTIONS RESPECTIVELY MEETING THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID ARM LOWER PORTIONS TO DEFINE RESPECTIVE JUNCTIONS, FRONT ROLLER MEANS CONNECTING THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID SECOND ARM UPPER PORTIONS, REAR ROLLER MEANS CONNECTING THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID FIRST ARM UPPER PORTIONS, SPRING MEANS CONNECTING THE ARM LOWER PORTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH LEVER AND URGING THEM TOWARD EACH OTHER, THE JUNCTION BETWEEN THE FIRST ARM PORTIONS NORMALLY ABUTTING THE FRONT OF SAID PLATE, THE JUNCTION BETWEEN THE SECOND ARM PROTIONS NORMALLY ABUTTING THE REAR OF SAID PLATE, SAID ROLLER MEANS BEING NORMALLY SPACED FROM EACH OTHER, SAID CROSS-ARM BEING ADAPTED TO BE LOWERED, SAID UPPER ARM PORTIONS BEING THEREBY ADAPTED TO RIDE CAMMINGLY AGAINST SAID FRONT AND REAR OF SAID PLATE TO SPREAD SAID LOWER ARM PORTIONS AND MOVE SAID ROLLER MEANS TOWARD EACH OTHER, SAID ARMS BEING SHAPED TO PERMIT SAID ROLLER MEANS TO COME INTO ABUTMENT WITH EACH OTHER, SAID UPPER ARM PORTIONS BEING ADAPTED, UPON RELEASE OF SAID CROSS-ARM, TO RIDE CAMMINGLY IN REVERSE DIRECTION AGAINST SAID PLATE AND RETURN THE PARTS TO THEIR NORMAL POSITIONS. 